Chapter 20: Joining the Sharks, an Eight-Figure Contract

RNG Esports Club, inside the players’ training room, intense training was underway. Since their loss in the quarterfinals, the atmosphere at RNG had changed dramatically. Especially today, with Lu Zi’ang joining EDG, which caused a huge stir online, the person most affected was naturally Uzi.

This was because Uzi had played a crucial role in terminating Lu Zi’ang’s contract with RNG.

“I really didn’t expect Lu Zi’ang to pull off such a show. He terminated the contract with us yesterday morning, signed with EDG by noon, and was already streaming on Shark Live by evening!”

“Wow, one hot topic after another. This guy really knows how to ride the wave of popularity, seamlessly connecting each buzz.”

“His stream’s popularity has already surpassed 35 million, and his follower count is nearing a million… amazing!”

Gossip was human nature, especially with Lu Zi’ang’s flamboyant and high-profile style. Now everyone at RNG knew he was streaming.

Uzi listened to the chatter, his expression fluctuating. The popularity and hype Lu Zi’ang now enjoyed felt like an invisible slap across his face.

“Enough with the nonsense!” Uzi snapped.

“Has everyone forgotten the shame from the quarterfinals? Lu Zi’ang is no longer part of RNG. Let’s remember that,” someone reminded firmly.

“I am RNG’s ADC,” Uzi said coldly.

The events of the past two days had been a constant provocation to Uzi’s sensitive nerves, yet strangely, his performance in scrims was outstanding.

From afar, Feng Ge sighed softly but was inwardly relieved. Thanks to Lu Zi’ang, the entire RNG team seemed to be performing even better in scrims than usual.

Uzi was almost electrified, radiating lethal intent. His gameplay in practice vaguely resembled his peak form.

This was undoubtedly good news.

They lost in Season 8, but Season 9 was still ahead.

As long as Uzi and the entire RNG team didn’t succumb to despair, and instead grew stronger, what did it matter?

Yet, thinking of Lu Zi’ang’s soaring popularity, Feng Ge, as the manager of the LoL division, felt a twinge of regret—they had truly missed out on a prodigious ADC.

…

In Abu’s office.

Shark Live and Wolf Tooth Live were engaged in their first showdown.

“Five million?”

When Director Zhou from Wolf Tooth heard the figure, he couldn’t help but laugh mockingly. “Shark Live, have you guys gotten so desperate? Five million to sign a future esports phenomenon?”

“You’re insulting both EDG and Lu Zi’ang. I’ve said it before, Xu Lei, you simply don’t understand esports!”

“Director Ji, eight million. We’re sincere on our side. We even drafted the contract on the way here.” Director Zhou gestured to the legal team, who opened a laptop to show Ji Xing their drafted e-contract.

It had to be said, Wolf Tooth showed greater ambition. They immediately raised the offer to eight million, nearing a nine-figure contract, whereas Shark Live had initially only offered five hundred thousand.

The difference was stark.

Even Abu showed a slight smile.

Seeing this, Xu Lei grew anxious. He had truly resolved to sign Lu Zi’ang and knew five hundred thousand was unlikely to succeed.

But this was Xu Lei’s professional habit.

He disliked starting with a high price, fearing it would lead to exorbitant demands. After all, even if the five hundred thousand was multiplied tenfold, it was only five million.

However, with Wolf Tooth’s entry, his strategy was impossible to execute.

Those guys immediately pushed the price to eight million.

At Shark Live, the assistant and legal counsel exchanged looks, then turned to Xu Lei, silently urging him to raise the offer.

“Ten million!” Xu Lei declared.

“Director Ji, Shark Live offers ten million.”

“Oh?”

“To be honest, we respect both your platforms, but no matter the price, this isn’t an auction,” Abu said with a smile. “Let’s settle the contract terms first, then discuss the fees. After all, Lu Zi’ang’s main role remains a professional player.”

“I understand. Our contract for Lu Zi’ang on Wolf Tooth differs from the others only in signing fees,” Director Zhou replied.

Wolf Tooth’s streaming contracts for pro players were very lenient, not affecting matches or training in the slightest.

Naturally, Shark Live was the same. Both platforms partnered with LPL teams and had even poached players from LCK teams.

It was an industry consensus to offer relaxed contracts to professional players.

Abu’s move was simply to provide Lu Zi’ang with an additional safeguard, easing his burden—more pay, less responsibility.

“Our contracts for esports pros on Shark Live are known for their leniency: stream whenever you want, no pressure, absolutely no interference with personal time or matches,” Xu Lei assured confidently.

“Moreover, if Lu Zi’ang signs with Shark Live, we can adjust the gift revenue split to 40:60, with the player taking 60%,” he added.

Abu knew neither platform was altruistic; capital existed solely to pursue profit.

Some individual streamers even owed platforms hundreds of millions after switching, forced to stream intensively to repay debts—a common headline.

But professional players weren’t just individual streamers.

Backed by clubs with capital, the massive esports ecosystem, and immense viewership, streaming platforms dared not provoke them.

Sometimes, they even fawned over esports players.

Of course, top streamers like PDD or Ma Laoshi, with huge fanbases, were a different matter—the platforms never dared mistreat them.

They always picked on the vulnerable.

“Ten million, huh? Then we’ll fight you to the end,” Director Zhou said confidently but puzzled—was it really worth it for a rookie?

His earlier threats had been bluster. He hadn’t expected Shark Live to be serious, but now the stakes were high, and he couldn’t back down. Feigning calm, he countered, “Eleven million!”

This was basically the ceiling.

Any higher, and it would exceed Wolf Tooth’s valuation of Lu Zi’ang.

“Eleven and a half million!” Xu Lei smiled faintly. “You like raising the price? Keep going. I don’t believe you, Mr. Zhou, can top that. Remember, Lu Zi’ang is just a rookie.”

“How do you know we won’t raise it again? We’re at eleven and a half million, hmph!” Director Zhou retorted without hesitation.

The assistant and legal counsel nearby were nervous—the price was absurdly inflated. Even if they signed Lu Zi’ang, what if his streaming didn’t perform? Who would bear the responsibility?

Abu was overjoyed.

He never imagined they could push the price all the way to eleven and a half million.

Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous.

By then, Qi Jiang had already returned. Hearing the bids, he was surprised—the price was nearly matching his own initial streaming contract.

As for Lu Zi’ang’s earlier statements, he had already conveyed them to Abu.

At eleven and a half million, both platforms ceased competing. This was not an auction; further bidding would only lead to mutual ruin.

Thus, both sides tacitly prepared their contracts, signed, and stamped them, leaving the final decision to EDG.

“Sorry, Old Zhou. We’ve decided to try multi-platform development. Lu Zi’ang will go to Shark Live. Our other players’ contracts will be renewed with Wolf Tooth,” Abu said with a smile, ensuring neither side was offended before proceeding with the formalities.

EDG provided several promotional photos of Lu Zi’ang for Shark Live’s publicity pages.

From now on, for a year, Lu Zi’ang could only stream on Shark Live, with content unrestricted.

During the contract term, he must stream at least 360 hours in total... The contract terms were entirely favorable to Lu Zi’ang.